A major probe into an Essex children's home at the centre of abuse allegations has contributed to a £6.5m social services overspend.

The investigation into the home - believed to be the biggest of its kind ever in this country - has so far cost £3 million of taxpayers' money.

Essex County Council is now investigating whether it can get any extra cash from the Government in a bid to balance its books.

The bulk of the investigation - codenamed Operation Camberly - into a private children's home, took place between May and November last year.

Police raided the home late last year and four people were eventually charged.

A number of legal proceedings are now imminent at London's High Court to gain care orders for youngsters. Criminal prosecutions are also about to begin.

Pat Pascoe, chairman of the social services committee, said: "I understand these are the biggest care proceedings to have ever taken place in this country and this is the biggest case the family division of the High Court will ever have dealt with.

"We have no right to ask for financial help but I understand the director of social services will be approaching the Government.

"It is a very big sum for us even though we are a large authority. If something like this happened in an area such as Southend it would be an enormous pressure on a unitary authority budget."

She added that the final bill for the investigation was highly likely to top £3 million, not including the police's own costs.

The rest of the £6.5 million overspend has been caused by the reorganisation of the county's old people's homes.

Mrs Pascoe said: "There is nothing we can do this year about the overspend. If the proposed closures of some residential homes don't go ahead there will an even bigger overspend on the next budget."

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